JONES SINKS GAME-WINNER TO TAKE DOWN TEXAS

FRISCO, TX, (Jan. 28, 2023) – In a battle to the finish, Mason Jones had the final say for the Mexico City Capitanes (9-5) to best the Texas Legends (4-8) 120-117. 

The Legends grabbed the first basket and jumped up to a 13-2 lead less than two minutes in.  The Capitanes hit an 8-0 run but weren’t able to grab the edge until Mason Jones sank a buzzer-beating three to end the first up 32-29.  The two teams stayed close through the second with eight lead changes.  James Banks III tied it up for Texas with 35 seconds left in the half but Jones got the last make from the line to take Mexico City into the locker room up 58-56.

The visitors built their largest lead of the night (+10) late in the third, but Texas used four late points from Yudai Baba to pull within four going into the final minutes.  With the only two baskets scored in the first three minutes of the fourth, Texas took the lead.  The home team was up five near the midway mark but Mexico City fired off eight unanswered to regain the lead.  Texas stayed within two scores and found themselves one point away with 9.6 seconds to play.  Jones hit 1-of-2 at the line and Grant Riller tied it up with 5.1 seconds left, but another outside shot went in for Jones as time expired to give Mexico City the victory. 

Riller finished with Texas’ only double-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Tyler Hall had 20 points off the bench while Tyler Dorsey grabbed 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.  Mouhamadou Gueye made his first appearance back after injury and totaled 17 points, 5 rebounds off the bench while Taze Moore tagged on 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.  Yudai Baba rounded out the double-digits with 13 points, 6 assists. 

Jones led the Capitanes with 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 11 assists while Alfonzo McKinnie added 21 points, 13 rebounds.  Rigoberto Mendoza grabbed 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, and Kenneth Faried posted 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.  Texas gets another shot at the Capitanes tomorrow in a 3:30pm tipoff.  For tickets or information call 214-469-0822 or visit www.TexLegends.com.